PAPER RINGS || MARCUS LOPEZ.

𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉

❝ How did you manage to pick up Billy too? ❞

Dylan had been waiting outside for Marcus and Saya to come out of the school after they'd come up with their plan to break the Scorpio Slasher out of the school to help them find Chester.

It was Dylan's idea to involve Saya, it made the most sense seeming as if they got caught Saya would be the first to know with being the Kuroki leader. Marcus didn't take any convincing, he trusted Saya and admitted that he'd rather drag her into it than Dylan or Devon, though he didn't get much choice with Dylan.

❝ Puzzle room. ❞ Marcus shrugged, clipping a dog leash to their teacher and throwing it to Billy ❝ Long story. ❞

Dylan watched as Saya furiously tapped on her phone, texting who knows who ❝ Are we interrupting something? ❞

A fuck off was mumbled in response before she slid her phone back into her pocket ❝ Your sister is trying to convince me to go to that shitty club with her and Yukio tonight. The one where that kid fell through the table dancing to Madonna. ❞

❝ Christ, she's been banging on about it to me all day too. ❞ Dylan rolled her eyes, trailing behind the three males who seemingly already knew where they were going ❝ Honestly, kinda sounds fun if we weren't currently going through hell. ❞

Saya nodded in agreement ❝ I guess, I'd prefer a show at the stone but it does sound good. ❞

❝ I've never been. ❞ The femme admitted ❝ If this asshole helps out maybe we could still meet Devi, I can turn you into a club kid. ❞

The pair laughed at Dylan's half joke, letting their conversation fade off as they continued walking. Dylan didn't question it when they stepped inside a restaurant and slipped into a booth, all things considered this was probably one of the more normal things they'd be doing today.

Dylan sat at the table across from the group, more than happy to put the distance between herself and her Psychopathy teacher.

❝ You ain't gonna join us, sweetie. ❞ Slasher questioned teasingly, gesturing between their too tables.

Marcus bit the inside of his cheek, passing the bat he'd been carrying over to his girlfriend ❝ I thought I told you you're not allowed talk to Dylan? ❞ He reminded, eyebrow raised as he turned his gaze back to the girl in question ❝ You want anything to eat? ❞

She just shook her head, feeling silly for the small smile on her face when she learned that he'd warned Slasher against even talking to her but she couldn't help it.

Most of her attention went to her phone whilst the group ordered their food and spoke about Chester. Devon was continuing to blow up her phone, she'd somehow gotten it in her head that Yukio was proposing and was begging her to join them on their night out.

Of course, when Dylan texted Yukio about it he'd told her that Devon was jumping to conclusions and that he had no intentions of proposing while still a student. Dylan already knew this, he'd told her before when her sister previously got it in her head that she was set to be engaged. She wouldn't speak to Yukio for three days after she realised she was wrong.

Aside from parties and assumed engagements, Devon was still harassing Dylan about her use of a certain pill. In the past few minutes she'd already sent four different links to health websites whilst reprimanding her for her carelessness.

To change the topic of conversation, Dylan agreed to meet Devon and Yukio at their favourite club later in the night when, hopefully, this was all over.

❝ I get angry when you call me names, ❞ Scorpio Slashers raised voice grabbed her attention and when she looked up he had a knife to Sayas throat ❝ but I also kinda like it. ❞

❝ They were killed by one of the people let out of the mental hospitals. ❞

Dylan gripped the baseball bat Marcus had left beside her as she listened to him try deescalate whatever had happened, not even after Slasher had put the weapon down did she let it go.

❝ I'll take that. ❞ She snapped, snatching the knife off their table and leaving it on her own ❝ Not your best idea, Arguello. ❞

Slashers eyebrows raised, eyes now focused on the girl who had been silent until now ❝ It speaks. ❞

❝ Watch it. ❞

❝ Hmm. ❞ Slasher hummed, a glare of disgust being sent Marcus and Dylan's direction as he stood up ❝ I think I'm ready for that ice cream now. ❞

The walk from the restaurant to the store was silent, nobody wanted to talk about anything outside of what they were meant to be doing and it was hard to discuss when their main lead was acting like a child.

Like now, as he lead Billy and Saya around the store as Marcus and Dylan stayed outside.

❝ I was thinking. ❞

❝ Woah, don't hurt yourself. ❞

❝ Fuck off, Dylan. ❞ Marcus rolled his eyes ❝ Night of Shabs party, you said you owe me. I still never cashed that in. ❞

Dylan scoffed, pointing over her shoulder ❝ I think you're the one that owes me after today. ❞

❝ I'm afraid this is your life now, baby. ❞

❝ You ever heard of the red string? ❞ Dylan asked, reaching up in an attempt to fix a stray piece of his hair.

❝ I've heard of red strings, I've seen clothing. ❞

Dylan laughed , continuing to mess around with his hair until she was satisfied with how it looked ❝ Many Japanese believe that relationships are predestined by a red string that the Gods attach to the pinky fingers of people who find each other. It can tangle, or stretch, but it can never break. ❞

❝ A lot of Americans believe in a sky God that helps them win football games. ❞ Marcus replied sarcastically, arms rising in surrender when she glared at him ❝ Hey! It was a comparison. ❞

She rolled her eyes, tugging on the sleeve of his shirt ❝ As much as I love you, I'm getting sick and tired of this shirt and t-shirt combo you're obsessed with. ❞

❝ Ah, so you love me? ❞

❝ Not if you don't get over this disaster you call an outfit. ❞

❝ You're so annoying. ❞ He faux-complained, jokingly shoving her hand away when she reached out to pull at his outfit again ❝ Specking of outfits, aren't you supposed to be back in your dorm getting ready for Devs quote unquote engagement? ❞

Looking over her shoulder again, Dylan could see Saya yelling at Slasher, probably telling him to stop dicking around ❝ You're more important. ❞

❝ I'm fine. ❞ Marcus reassured, taking her hand in his and tracing his thumb along the back of her hand ❝ And I'd be even better if I knew you were safe, away from whatever shit show this asshole might walk us into. ❞

She paused, thinking about it for a minute before speaking again ❝ Fine, but you better keep your location on. If you take longer than five minutes to text me back I will come find you and if you're alive I'll kill you myself. ❞

Marcus laughed, pressing his lips to hers before guiding her away by the small of her back ❝ I have Saya, I'll be on my best behaviour I promise. ❞

❝ Call me when you get back, I want to know everything. ❞